Favorite Tradition

Breakfast with Santa at Thanksgiving Point is one of our favorite Christmas traditions -- fun for kids and relaxing for parents. In addition to a catered breakfast and pictures with Santa, this year's fun included mingling with Elf, decorating cookies, playing Grinch ring toss, talking with Mrs. Clause, making Tootsie Pop reindeer, and painting faces!

Meaningful Old Newspapers

One of the things I picked from the leftovers after Grandma & Grandpa Vickers passed away was a small box of newspaper memorabilia that I tend to think belonged to my great-grandmother Leah. One of the papers is the full-edition of the Salt Lake Tribune, April 6, 1947 Utah's 100th Anniversary Centennial Celebration. I pulled it out of the long-stored box last month and took it to our monthly Daughters of Utah Pioneers meeting, because the lesson was about the Jubilee Celebration (50th Anniversary of the Pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley) and this newspaper had many photographs documenting the early history of Utah. As we thumbed through the aging papers, I realized they need better preservation.

Google made it easy! I found a newspaper-sized, archival-quality scrapbook, hard-bound with posts! So, now the papers are safely preserved! The earliest is 1937, the latest 1970. Several are at the death of Heber J. Grant, George Albert Smith, and David O. McKay. The pages shown below are the above mentioned Centennial Celebration, a 1945 message on peace from the First Presidency, a 1959 Anchorage Daily News as Alaska became a State (my Dad’s family lived in Anchorage at the time), and a 1950’s The Evening Post cover when Queen Elizabeth II sailed the royal yacht into the harbor at Chicago (wow, young Elizabeth!).

I’ve looked through the box of papers a few times over the years and enjoyed their historical relevance, but as I compiled them chronologically for archival keeping, I felt especially close to my great-grandmother. These papers were meaningful to her, and now they have become meaningful to me. I will take good care of them!

Happy Birthday J Aaron!

It's hard to be five. I'm little no more.
Good old days are gone. 'Bye one, two, three, four.

It's hard to be five. Just yelled at my brother.
My mind says do one thing, my mouth says another.
It's hard to be five. I've got to keep going.
My clothes can't keep up 'cause my body keeps growing.

At five I hear NO and DON'T - I can't win!
When balls bowl inside at my ten juice-box pins.
I'd rather hear TRY IT and SURE, I confess . . .
. . . and if dirt is involved, a very loud YES!

It's hard to be five. Parents want you all clean.
But washing my face makes me crabby and mean.

It's hard to be five. All I want is to play.
I'm starting at school, and I don't get a say.
School seems so scary. School seems so strange.
I'm only five. My whole world's going to change.

It's hard to be five and wanting to hit
When Scott cuts in line and says I did it.
At five I do things that I don't mean to do,
Like when I bit Jake 'cause he cut in line too.

It's hard to be five. It takes superman skill.
Sitting in circles. Sitting so still.
Sitting still. Still sitting still. Still sitting still.
Sit still!

And then there's the walking all by myself,
Only picked up to reach a high shelf.
I walk to the park. I walk to the school.
I walk to the bus. I walk to the pool.

I walk to karate. I walk with closed eyes.
I walk like a ninja, chopping bad guys.
It's fun to be five! Big changes are here!
My body's my car, and I'm licensed to steer.

At five I'm a worker - a bee among bees.
I build things and grow things, say thank you and please.

Some fun things are hard. And some hard things are fun.
I know when to walk. I know when to run.
I know when to stop. And I know when to go.
I know when to push. And I know when to tow.

At five I can lie down alone in my bed
And dream of my past and my future ahead.
And when I mess up or do right, it's a start.
'Cause I have my own mind and I have my own heart.

It's Hard to Be Five by Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornell

What a Miracle You Are!

What a miracle! . . . the love and joy and peace ONE little person brings into our home! We love you Braden!

My Mommy Hung the Moon

I've blogged before about Mommy's Moon http://billandcarolstump.blogspot.com/2009/06/mommys-moon.html -- that magnificent orb lighting the sky, shedding beauty, and reflecting joy through the windows of our home! Now that the early evenings are darker, the first-spotting contest is regaining popularity with the boys. As we backed out of the garage, Jeremy exclaimed Moon! Moon! I praised his discovery Yes, there it is. Mommy’s moon is on Jeremy’s side of the car. And then, heart-breaking disaster! As we turned the corner out of the neighborhood, J taunted, It’s on my side now! Mommy’s moon is on my side! Jeremy kicked and hollered, kicked and hollered, kicked and hollered . . . an impressive tantrum for I don’t know how many miles . . . until we turned the corner. And with an abrupt stop Jeremy chided with satisfaction, My side. My side.

Ouch! I’ve been warned that brothers will argue. But over my moon?!

Anyway, I found consolation in a new story book My Mommy Hung the Moon: A Love Story by Jamie Lee Curtis. What a find! How can I not confess being completely self-absorbed purchasing a book that begins: My mommy hung the moon. She tied it with a string. My mommy's good at EVERYTHING! But as I read it to my boys that night I tearfully realized the story isn't a celebration of their mom – it is a celebration of my mom! I love you Mom!!

Stumpers in Wonderland

It's The Weapons!

Not suprisingly the boys didn't quite appreciate the Wonderland costumes. J insisted on wearing the cowboy garb to school (no-brainer -- it was a hit during cowboy days), and was equally determined to be a pirate for trick-or-treating. Then I realized what they love about cowboys and pirates -- the WEAPONS! And I ponder my own hypocrisy -- for it wasn't long ago I found myself strongly disapproving weapon play. It's just that . . . they have so much fun.

J's A Better Driver Than . . .

jk Amanda

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

The stars aligned! I happened to be in Minneapolis, the first game of the American League playoff series happened to be the innaugural post-season game in the beautiful new Target Field, and ATK happened to have tickets that were generously offered. I saw the YANKEES!! I saw the TWINS!! It's a zillion times better in person! We sat 13 rows above the Twins dugout. The sights and sounds, even the smells and tastes, were larger than life. I love that sound as the bat hits the ball! The field is maticulously manicured throughout the game. The TWINS white uniforms almost glowed! (Too bad the YANKS grey is so drab). At times the crowd was deafening loud . . . I can hardly describe it . . . I couldn't hear my own yelling . . . even the ringing in my ears was silenced . . . seriously deafening! Believe it -- only in Minnsota can I eat walleye sticks with my ketchup dog! Picture below: Top of the 3rd, Score 2-2, two outs, bases loaded, Liriano pitching to A Rod -- this is the 3rd strike pitch.

Due to Popular Request . . .

A clean-shaven shot!
Hey . . . it looks like he's sneaking in some sideburns.
http://billandcarolstump.blogspot.com/2010/09/not-because-of-way-you-look.html

YEEHAW !!

Each fall Challenger has Cowboy Week. J remembered how much fun it was last year wearing his cowboy costume to school. Unfortunately, the leathers he's been wearing since he was two are now up to his knees! Luckily I found this adorable set on Ebay (used once for a photography shoot) . . . complete with wool hat and boots with spurs. He can't help but walk with big ol' bull legs with those spurs on - it's hilarious! Oh, and since toy weapons aren't allowed at school, we found a flashlight pouch to hook to the belt.

Presenting the Newest Cub

Presenting the newest cub to the Stump pride . . . Braden. Weighing in at just over 4 lbs, shown here just under 7 lbs. We're thankful you're in our family!

Jeremy Loves Tanner

Let's RIDE

Not Because of the Way You Look

Bill shaved his entire face for the first time in FORTY years! -- and I didn't notice until Grandma pointed it out five days later!

I'm sorry honey! I'm sure I would have noticed if I weren't so smitten by your inner beauty!

Who's Having the Birthday?

Mom's favorite GOOGLY EYE shirts!

Wahoo! Jeremy's Two

Sweet 16

Highlights from the party room at Noah's.

Little Frankenstein

Yes, caused by a sippie cup.
No, AF hospital does not report injuries related to children's products.

Old Faithful Geyser is All I Thought I'd See . . .

Fissures, fumerals, steam vents and mud pots
Tectonic plates moving over hot spots
Ryolite volcanism in the caldera
Yellowstone began in our cenozoic era
--Old Faithful from Goin' Wild by Banana Slug String Band

http://bananaslugs.bandcamp.com/track/old-faithful

We've had this CD since Amanda was small. It helps with long rides through the Park. Jeremy certainly let us know that this was his favorite song -- by putting up a fuss each time it ended!

Artists' Point

Thanks for a great time Doug & Lisa!

S'mores

J can roast his own! He insists the best way to cook these gigantic marshmallows (discovered by Grandma Miess) is to "get fire on them".

Boiling River

We found a new swimming hole -- Boiling River!

http://family.go.com/travel/things-to-do/wyoming/yellowstone--park/poi-282411-boiling-river/

LiLi and Christopher make us smile! We're so glad you came!